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Business, Technology and Entertainment PortalFri, 15 Mar 2019 12:23:46 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.490490536Pakistan reacts with shock at New Zealand mosque attackshttp://tvi.com.pk/pakistan-reacts-with-shock-at-new-zealand-mosque-attacks/
http://tvi.com.pk/pakistan-reacts-with-shock-at-new-zealand-mosque-attacks/#respondFri, 15 Mar 2019 12:23:41 +0000http://tvi.com.pk/?p=13556Pakistani leaders expressed their shock and anger at deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand Pakistani leadership, politicians and common people expressed their shock and anger at deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand, with some citing rising “Islamophobia” as being responsible. A gunman opened fire on Friday prayers at a mosque in ...

]]>Pakistani leaders expressed their shock and anger at deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand

Pakistani leadership, politicians and common people expressed their shock and anger at deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand, with some citing rising “Islamophobia” as being responsible.

A gunman opened fire on Friday prayers at a mosque in New Zealand killing many worshippers and wounding more than 20 during Friday prayers at two New Zealand mosques in the country’s worst ever mass shooting.

Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the “terrorist attack” on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in which at least 49 people were killed and 20 more were seriously injured.

“Shocked and strongly condemn the Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attack on mosques. This reaffirms what we have always maintained: that terrorism does not have a religion. Prayers go to the victims and their families,” he tweeted.

“I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam and 1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim. This has been done deliberately to also demonize legitimate Muslim political struggles,” PM Imran added.

I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11 where Islam & 1.3 bn Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror by a Muslim. This has been done deliberately to also demonize legitimate Muslim political struggles. https://t.co/5bBREoayLz

President Arif Alvi also tweeted and said, “Shocked and grieved to learn about the horrific massacre in Christchurch Mosque. My prayers for the victims. May their souls rest in peace. My condolences to the families. I pray they have strength to bear this loss. Hate, once unleashed is difficult to stop. Difficult times.”

Shocked and grieved to learn about the horrific massacre in Christchurch Mosque. My prayers for the victims. May their souls rest in peace. My condolences to the families. I pray they have strength to bear this loss. Hate, once unleashed is difficult to stop. Difficult times.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi strongly condemned the heinous mosque attacks. “My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and their families. We are trying to ascertain whether any Pakistanis have been killed in the attack. Terrorism has no religion and a terrorist no country.”

Strongly condemn the heinous mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and their families. We are trying to ascertain whether any Pakistanis have been killed in the attack. Terrorism has no religion and a terrorist no country.

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal also tweeted and said, “Pakistan condemns the tragic terrorist incident in New Zealand. Our High Commission is in touch with the local authorities and trying to ascertain details.”

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the Christchurch mosques attack as a barbaric, violent act of terrorism. “Condemn in the strongest possible terms, the barbaric, violent act of terrorism at a mosque in Christchurch New Zealand. Unfortunate rise in white supremacist and Islamaphobic attacks. Thoughts and prayers with the victims and people of New Zealand,” he wrote.

Condemn in the strongest possible terms, the barbaric, violent act of terrorism at a mosque in Christchurch New Zealand. Unfortunate rise in white supremacist& Islamaphobic attacks. Thoughts and prayers with the victims & people of New Zealand.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq also condemned the attack. “Strongly condemn the attack on mosques in New Zealand during Friday prayers. May Allah bless the departed souls and help the families of the victims. Its a terrorist attack and it explains that Muslims are target of Islamophobia and racism,” he posted on Twitter.

Strongly condemn the attack on mosques in New Zealand during Friday prayers. May Allah bless the departed souls and help the families of the victims. Its a terrorist attack and it explains that Muslims are target of Islamphobia and racism

PML-N president and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack in New Zealand. “Shocked at the massacre of innocent people in a New Zealand Mosque. I express my condolences and sympathies with breaved families, government and the people of New Zealand.”

Strongly condemn the horrible incident of terrorism in Christchurch. Shocked at the massacre of innocent people in a New Zealand Mosque. I express my condolences and sympathies with breaved families, government and the people of New Zealand. -ss

]]>http://tvi.com.pk/pakistan-reacts-with-shock-at-new-zealand-mosque-attacks/feed/013556Malaysian PM to be guest of honor for Pakistan Day paradehttp://tvi.com.pk/malaysian-pm-to-be-guest-of-honor-for-pakistan-day-parade/
http://tvi.com.pk/malaysian-pm-to-be-guest-of-honor-for-pakistan-day-parade/#respondWed, 13 Mar 2019 10:13:54 +0000http://tvi.com.pk/?p=13549Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad to be Guest of Honor at Pakistan Day Parade Islamabad: As Pakistan is preparing for 23rd March parade, the federal capital is all set to welcome Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Muhammad on the grand occasion. Malaysian Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Pakistan Day parade and ...

]]>Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad to be Guest of Honor at
Pakistan Day Parade

Islamabad: As Pakistan is preparing for 23rd March parade, the federal capital is all set to welcome Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Muhammad on the grand occasion.

Malaysian Prime Minister will be the guest of honour
at the Pakistan Day parade and celebrations on March 23, said a statement by
the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The parade will also include flypasts from Turkish F-16s and Chinese J-10 aircraft and paratroop contingents from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sri Lankan armed forces, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan extended the invitation to Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad to visit the country on the occasion of Pakistan Day celebrations during his visit to Kuala Lumpur during 21-22 November 2018.

Malaysia was the fourth country PM Imran Khan visited
after becoming prime minister.

During his visit, PM Imran Khan said that Islamabad wants to learn from the progress and development of Malaysia and its leadership. He also said that Pakistan government wants to replicate the Malaysian model of good governance. Admiring Mahathir Mohammad, he said that the Malaysian leader has totally transformed the country, and raised the per capita income and Gross Development Product (GDP).

Pakistan is looking forward to enhance collaboration
with Malaysia in trade and tourism sectors.

]]>http://tvi.com.pk/malaysian-pm-to-be-guest-of-honor-for-pakistan-day-parade/feed/013549First water recycling prototype inaugurated at car wash station in Islamabadhttp://tvi.com.pk/first-water-recycling-prototype-inaugurated-at-car-wash-station-in-islamabad/
http://tvi.com.pk/first-water-recycling-prototype-inaugurated-at-car-wash-station-in-islamabad/#respondWed, 13 Mar 2019 07:49:01 +0000http://tvi.com.pk/?p=13542First water recycling prototype inaugurated at a car wash station in Islamabad together with the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad supported by UNDP. Prototype demonstration of recycling water at car wash service stations was held in Islamabad in collaboration with Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The water recycling prototype was inaugurated ...

]]>First water recycling prototype inaugurated at a car wash station in Islamabad together with the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad supported by UNDP.

Prototype demonstration of recycling water at car wash service stations was held in Islamabad in collaboration with Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The water recycling prototype was inaugurated at a car wash station in Islamabad by Sheikh Anser Aziz, Mayor of Islamabad and Mr. Ignacio Artaza, Resident Representative (a.i.) UNDP.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by representatives from petroleum companies, civil society organizations and development partners.

Water scarcity is a major challenge in Pakistan — estimates indicate that at the current rate the country may run dry by 2025. With a five-fold increase in Pakistan’s population since 1960 and with the current 30-day water storage capacity, some 207 million people will face ‘absolute scarcity’ of water, with less than 500 cubic meters available per person by 2025.

In Islamabad, over the past 5 years, water shortage has elevated to the level of crisis. Water shortage has risen to 106 million gallons per day. Water supply in the city, on the other hand, has decreased due to reduction in supply from water reservoirs and ground water depletion. Extensive and unregulated usage of ground water for household and commercial purposes is another problem, that is resulting in massive depletion of ground water resources. In addition to dwindling supply, water scarcity is also attributed to over consumption. It is evident that people waste water due to its low monetary value and limited regulations that prevent wasteful use of water.

In collaboration with the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI), UNDP is supporting efforts to promote water conservation at household level and in other sectors of the economy. Water recycling in selected sectors, including the car service sectors is one of the avenues which have the potential to promote conservation and re-usage of large volumes of water. Based on the findings of a survey, each service station on average uses 19,000 liters of water per day. Using simple techniques that involve sedimentation in underground tanks and using chemical and biological treatments among other methods to recycle water will help conserve large amount of water.

The porotypes will also be established in five other service stations across Islamabad to demonstrate a model for service stations to adopt.

]]>http://tvi.com.pk/first-water-recycling-prototype-inaugurated-at-car-wash-station-in-islamabad/feed/013542FAO to prepare Pakistan’s first national food security reporthttp://tvi.com.pk/fao-to-prepare-pakistans-first-national-food-security-report/
http://tvi.com.pk/fao-to-prepare-pakistans-first-national-food-security-report/#respondWed, 13 Mar 2019 07:25:54 +0000http://tvi.com.pk/?p=13540FAO and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation join hands for improving food security in Pakistan The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) signed an agreement to develop the first national State of Food Security and Nutrition in Pakistan (SOFI) report. This will be the first national ...

]]>FAO and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation join hands for improving food security in Pakistan

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) signed an agreement to develop the first national State of Food Security and Nutrition in Pakistan (SOFI) report.

This will be the first national level SOFI report prepared along the lines of FAO’s annual flagship report on global and regional level.

The report will provide timely and accurate data that will enable the government to make informed and evidence based decisions by monitoring food supply, demand and other key indicators for assessing the overall food security situation.

Thanking the SDC for its support, FAO Representative in Pakistan Ms Mina` Dowlatchahi said the strategic partnership between FAO and SDC will strengthen national capacities for managing and utilizing food security related information. She added that the national SOFI report is in line with government of Pakistan’s development agenda and will support decision and policy makers in designing their efforts to reduce poverty and improve food security and nutrition in Pakistan.

Mr Daniel Valenghi, Head of Cooperation SDC stressed on the importance of implementation of effective policies to improve food security in Pakistan.

Agriculture contributes 19.8% of Pakistan’s GDP and employs 42% of the workforce. However, the countries growing population and adverse climatic conditions place increasing pressure on national food production. 20.5% of the population is undernourished. This is driven by high poverty rates, and rising food prices. Poor physical infrastructure, particularly in the remote rural areas throughout Pakistan is also a limitation on access to food and influences market prices. This is also linked to inadequate water and sanitation, education and health service delivery, which together with the lack of awareness of appropriate dietary intake contributes to greater food insecurity and malnutrition.

FAO, in collaboration with WFP, UNICEF, WHO and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics will support the preparation of this analysis and publication, building on the work already undertaken with Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on the localization of SDG 2 indicators Prevalence of Undernourishment (PoU) and Prevalence of Moderate and Severe Food Insecurity in population based on Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). This report will provide elements to better inform investments and public finance allocations. It will support the advancement of quality data collection, analysis and dissemination as essential to evidence based decision-making and resources allocation.

]]>http://tvi.com.pk/fao-to-prepare-pakistans-first-national-food-security-report/feed/013540Half of Pakistanis die from non-communicable diseaseshttp://tvi.com.pk/half-of-pakistanis-die-from-non-communicable-diseases/
http://tvi.com.pk/half-of-pakistanis-die-from-non-communicable-diseases/#respondTue, 12 Mar 2019 08:47:54 +0000http://tvi.com.pk/?p=13532One out of two Pakistanis are at risk of dying from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardio-vascular ailments or cancer By Dr. Rezzan Khan In Pakistan, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2018 data, non-communicable diseases (NCD) now account for 58 percent of total deaths in Pakistan before the age of 70. One out of ...

]]>One out of two Pakistanis are at risk of dying from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardio-vascular ailments or cancer

By Dr. Rezzan Khan

In Pakistan, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2018 data, non-communicable diseases (NCD) now account for 58 percent of total deaths in Pakistan before the age of 70. One out of two Pakistanis are at risk of dying from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardio-vascular ailments or cancer. These deaths can easily be prevented by lifestyle modification. Lifestyle modification involves altering long-term habits, typically related to eating or physical activity, and maintaining the new behavior for months or years. It empowers individuals with the knowledge and life skills to make effective behavioral changes that address the underlying causes of disease.

Over my 40-year career, I have advocated the “food as medicine” approach to lifestyle modification as the platform for all effective nutrition intervention therapies. While we don’t have control over genetic factors, gender, age, and race, we have control over what we eat, if and how much we exercise, whether we smoke, our sleep habits, and how we handle stress. Helping patients with these controllable factors empowers them to take ownership of their health. Treatment of NCDs requires adoption and maintenance of lifestyle behaviors.

The patient should have a one-on-one counseling session with a Dietitian Nutritionist and learn about possible lifestyle changes and receive guidance on how to incorporate them into everyday life with an appropriate meal planning.

One key method that we advocate is that you maintain a nutritional diary with information on food intake, sleeping record, travelling, hormonal changes craving etc recorded. You should also continuously write down the weight, glucose, lipid profile monitoring or whatever is necessary to follow up according to your health condition. This practice will help you notice which meals, ingredients or lifestyle choices results in unfavorable weight change glucose excursion, or lipid profile. This practice will help you to have particularly damaging meals less often, change some of the ingredients or change the amount of some foods that you consume. You should also be able to notice sleeping, exercise, salt intake, and hormonal effects on weight and heath condition.

You could very well carry out the exercise described above yourself, however, it may be worth it to consult with a dietitian to have a chart tailored for you according to your requirements and scientific standards. You can then compare the information that you record in your nutritional diary with the chart to see the impact on your health of your lifestyle choices and make improvements early.

Nutrition education and information campaign is held annually in March, focusing attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The Dietitian Nutritionist Day is also celebrated during National Nutrition Month, on the second Wednesday in March. This year, March 13 marks the World Dietitians Day in Pakistan.

Dietitians help patients correct their cognitive errors. By effectively using cognitive behavioural therapy, the dietitian creates logical lifestyle changes that are helpful in preventing and treating NCDs and in maintaining good health.

The author, Dr. Rezzan Khan, is a Consultant Nutritionist at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.﻿

]]>Islamabad: Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned the
Houthi drone attack targeting the residential area of Saudi Arabia’s city of
Abha and reiterated its full support to the Kingdom to fight terror in all its
forms.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) condemned the attack in
“strongest terms” and said the country “stand in solidarity with the Saudi
government in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

The statement issued by Foreign Office in Islamabad on
Sunday, said Pakistan reiterates its “full support and solidarity with
leadership, Government and people of Saudi Arabia against any threats to its
territorial integrity and Harmain Shareefain.”

It added that such attacks, targeting the unarmed
civilian population, are “a clear violation of international law and pose a
serious challenge to regional peace and security.”

Pakistan’s FO also commended the Saudi government, especially
the Royal Defence Forces, for “timely intercepting and destroying the drone
before it could cause any serious damage.”

Taking note of the injuries to Saudis and other
expatriates and damage to properties as a result of falling debris of the drone,
it said: “We pray for early recovery of the injured.”

The spokesperson for the Saudi Directorate of Civil
Defense in Asir Region, Colonel Mohammed Al-Assami, said the fall of the
fragments of the drone injured four Saudi nationals, including a woman, and an
Indian national. Six vehicles and a number of houses were damaged in the
attack, it was reported.

On Friday, Saudi Arabia’s Royal Air Defense Force shot
down a Houthi drone targeting civilians in a residential area of the city of
Abha, Saudi Press Agency reported. The drone was intercepted over a residential
area in the city of Abha, about 230 kilometers north of the border with Yemen,
according to reports on Al Arabiya TV. Col Turki Al-Maliki, the spokesperson of
the Saudi-led Arab coalition, was quoted as saying that the drone was targeting
civilians in a residential area of Abha.

]]>Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Razak Dawood and Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Haroon Sharif will attend the Pakistan-Qatar Investment Forum on March 10 in Doha.

The event is being organised by BoI in collaboration with Qatar Finance Centre and Pakistan Embassy in Doha and aims to attract investment from the Gulf country, according to official statement.The event will be attended by important businessmen and investors from Qatar.

The investment forum is a follow up to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Qatar back in January 2019. During the visit, the prime minister laid the foundation for Qatari investment by addressing the apprehensions of the investors and assuring them that the reform agenda of the current government is specifically focusing on making Pakistan an investment friendly destination, particularly through various ‘ease of doing business’ measures.

On the sidelines of the event, Dawood and Sharif will be meeting high-profile executives and members of the Qatari Business Association, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Fund for Development, Katara Hospitality, Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Meetings with the Qatari Economic Ministers and government officials are also on the agenda.

The Pakistani delegation will comprise executives and business leaders from tourism and hospitality, food and agriculture, defence production, finance, financial technology and power and energy sectors. The discussions will focus on various project proposals, including hotels and resorts, privatisation projects, aviation, low-income housing, financial banking/Islamic banking and development of Special Economic Zones.

]]>http://tvi.com.pk/pakistan-qatar-investment-forum-to-improve-bilateral-trade-ties/feed/013521Pakistan Navy foils Indian submarine’s attempt to enter Pakistani watershttp://tvi.com.pk/pakistan-navy-foils-indian-submarines-attempt-to-enter-pakistani-waters/
http://tvi.com.pk/pakistan-navy-foils-indian-submarines-attempt-to-enter-pakistani-waters/#respondTue, 05 Mar 2019 10:34:07 +0000http://tvi.com.pk/?p=13514Pakistan Navy detected an Indian submarine and successfully foiled its attempt to intrude into Pakistani territorial waters on Monday, the Navy’s spokesperson said on Tuesday. The attempt took place a week after India’s violation of Pakistani air space. This was the second occasion since November 2016 when the Pakistan Navy detected an Indian submarine trying ...

]]>Pakistan Navy detected an Indian submarine and successfully foiled its attempt to intrude into Pakistani territorial waters on Monday, the Navy’s spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The attempt took place a week after India’s violation of Pakistani air space.

This was the second occasion since November 2016 when the Pakistan Navy detected an Indian submarine trying to wade into Pakistani waters.

The spokesman said in order to maintain peace, the Indian submarine was not targeted which is a reflection of Pakistan’s desire for peace. He said learning a lesson from this incident, India too should show its inclination towards peace.

“The Pakistan Navy used its specialised skills to ward off the submarine, successfully keeping it from entering Pakistani waters,” a statement from the spokesperson said.

“This great feat is a testament of the Pakistan Navy’s superior skills. The Navy will keep defending Pakistan’s naval border. The force has the capability to respond to any aggression.”

The spokesperson said the achievement is evidence of Pakistan Navy’s capabilities which is ready to defend country’s maritime frontiers and added that Pakistan Navy is capable of giving a jaw-breaking response to any aggression.

Pakistan territorial waters is 12 nautical miles while its seabed territory — the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — grew to 290,000 square kilometres in 2015. EEZ signifies an area of coastal water and seabed within a certain distance of a country’s coastline that cannot be entered without permission or prior information.

The latest provocation by India comes a week after the Indian Air Force (IAF) violated Pakistani airspace on February 26 following the Pulwama attack in Indian occupied Kashmir. The IAF returned unsuccessful after the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) “immediately scrambled” its jets. The next day, on Feb 27, PAF targeted non-military targets across the Line of Control to demonstrate Pakistan’s aggressive capabilities, and shot down two Indian Air Force jets after they crossed the LoC.

]]>http://tvi.com.pk/pakistan-navy-foils-indian-submarines-attempt-to-enter-pakistani-waters/feed/013514Air France set to resume operations in Pakistanhttp://tvi.com.pk/air-france-set-to-resume-operations-in-pakistan/
http://tvi.com.pk/air-france-set-to-resume-operations-in-pakistan/#respondSat, 16 Feb 2019 13:59:46 +0000http://tvi.com.pk/?p=13509Air France is planning to resume its service in Pakistan after British Airways.

]]>With the security situation significantly improved in Pakistan, Air France is set to resume its operations in the country soon.

The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

The petroleum minister lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan for strengthening the country’s trade and bilateral relations. “Pakistan is being led by an honest and visionary leadership, which has helped improve its image among the comity of nations,” he said.

This year Pakistan introduced a new revolutionary visa policy to encourage tourism in the country under which 175 countries have been extended the facility of e-Visa while the citizens of 50 countries will be given visas on arrival.

In December, British flag carrier British Airways decided to return to Pakistan and resume its flight operations in Islamabad from June 2019. The airline had suspended its operations from Pakistan in September 2008.

Air France had ended passenger flights to Karachi in winter 1994 and cargo services in summer 2001.

]]>Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to sign MoUs including one on a $10 billion Oil refinery during Saudi crown prince’s visit

ISLAMABAD – The visit of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is a success of economic diplomacy between the two brotherly countries, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as “New vistas of cooperation will be unlocked on arrival of Muhammad Bin Salman,” Federal Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan said on Friday.

The Saudi crown prince will be visiting Pakistan on Feb 16 and 17 at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation as well as members of the royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.

Ten MoUs including one on a $10 billion oil refinery and petrochemical complex are going to be signed with the Saudi Government during the visit of Saudi Crown Prince, Muhammad Bin Salman to Pakistan, the Minister said.

The Saudi side has indicated that the capacity of proposed oil refinery will be between 250,000-300,000 bpd (11-13 million tons per annum) whereas the cost of the refinery will be determined after the feasibility study. Initially both sides will study the feasibility of the proposed project after signing of the MOU. The Federal Minister said that Saudi technical teams have visited Gwadar and Karachi.

The mega oil refinery will result in added benefits like reliability in fuel supply, import substitution and exports. It will enhance confidence of local and foreign investors. “There will be technology transfer, skill enhancement and Human Capital Development and direct and indirect employment will be generated.” The visiting side has also shown interest in Pakistan’s mines, minerals, fertilizers, phosphate and LNG storage capacity.

Moreover, the Saudi side has expressed strong interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan’s Petrochemical sector which was termed as a ‘game changer’ and would result in savings of $ 1.2 billion per annum in import substitution.

He further said that there are eight operating oil refineries in the country. The combined production of local refineries during FY 2018 remained 13.5 million tons/annum versus the consumption of the country as 26 million tons/annum in FY 2018. The local refineries meet about 50% of the local demand.

The other MoUs to be signed between Islamabad and Riyadh relate to diverse sectors including mineral development, renewable energy resources, drug control and its smuggling, youth and sports, combating crime and cultural cooperation.